PM announces JPC on 2G scam

New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced the government's decision to set up a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to probe the 2G spectrum scam on Tuesday.

Giving in to the opposition’s demand, he said the country could "ill afford" disruption of the crucial Budget session of Parliament.

Making the declaration in Lok Sabha as soon as it met for the first working day of the session, Singh said a formal motion for constitution of the JPC would be moved soon.

"We could not succeed in spite of our sincere efforts to persuade the Opposition not to insist on a JPC probe,” Singh added.

Insisting that his government was committed to root out corruption, the Prime Minister said "all effective steps" were taken to convince the Opposition in this regard.

"We can ill afford a situation where Parliament is not allowed to function during the crucial Budget session. It is in these special circumstances that our government agrees to the setting up of a JPC," he said.

Singh requested Speaker Meira Kumar to ensue with the process of formation of the JPC and said a formal motion would be moved soon.

Welcoming the government's decision, Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj thanked the Prime Minister and Leader of the House Pranab Mukherjee for the move.

"We should not see this as a victory or defeat. This is a victory of democracy. We should all work together putting aside any talk of victory or defeat," she said.